Banjo



` c. H. s'rRuPE Dec. 2O 1927.v

BANJO Filed Oct. 28, 1925 Iii. ',1

INVENTOR. 066i! Htzupe,

91v`f ATToRA/ Ev Patented Dec. 20, 1927.

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BANJO;

Application fnd' octberss, 1925, serial Ne." 65,319. Y.

My invention 'relates to improvements in musical4 instruments of the .banjo 'type and has for oneu of its' object-sto provide un-` proved means for tensioning the head..l

Anotherrobject ofwmydnvention isto'improve musical instruments of the banjo type from the manufacturing standpoint.

For the purpose of disclosing my invention I have illustrated one embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l1 is a plan view of an instrument embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation; Y

Fig. 3 is a detail plan showing more particularly the construction of the tension hoop at the neck juncture; Y

Fig. 4 is a detail section taken on the line 1-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a detail section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, and

Fig. 7 is a detail section showing the man ner of securing the resonator in position.

In the structure illustrated I provide a cylindrical shell l the metal of which at its lower end is doubled upon itself to form an annular flange 2. The metal at the upper and lower edges of the shell is spun or rolled over to form beads 3 and arranged within the shell, abutting against the shell and between the beads 3 I mount a wooden band l.

Thek neck 5 is secured to the shell in the usual manner and the head 6, as is usual, is 35 wrapped at its edges on the flesh ring 7 exteriorly surrounding the shell 1. For tensioning the head 6, I provide a tensioning Ahoop 8 which at its lower edge is provided with an annular flange 9, and for decorative purposes and to reduce weight this :flange may be scalloped. at its edges as at l0. This hoop 8 is subjected to considerable strain and in order to maintain its strength uniform throughout its circumference and at the same time accommodate the jointure of the neck 5 with the shell, at the point where this jointure is made the metal of the hoop constituting the annular flange 9 is bent up at 11 to lie parallel with the face of thc 50 hoop 8. In this way clearance is given from the neck and at the same time the necessity for notching the flange 9 is avoided whereby the strength of the hoop throughout its enf and has its threaded end taking into the threaded socket of the sleeve. This rod is squared as at 14 to receive a wrench or turning instrument so that the rod may be turned for the purpose of increasing or decreasing the tension on the head 6.

On the bottom of the shell I provide a detachable` resonator which comprises a. conveX wooden bottom 15 preferably greater in diameter than the shell and having af cylindrical portion 16 formed of metal and of sufficient size to telescope the bottom of the shell. This cylindrical Aportion flares at 17 into a skirt 13 having a bead 19 which isy turned over the edge of the wooden bottom. At suitable intervals the cylindrical portion is provided with bosses 2O through which screws 2l pass to make frictional engagement with the side of the shell for holding the resonator in position.

It will be noted that due to the fact that the squared portion 14 lof the tensioning rod projects above the flange 9 of the tensioning hoop, the tension of the head 6 may be adj usted without disturbing any of the parts of the instrument and without removing the resonator.

I claim as my invention: j l. A musical instrument of the banjo type comprising a metallic shell, the metal of which is bent upon itself near its bottom to form an exterior annular flange, a head, a lflesh ring to which the head is attached surrounding said shell, a tensioning hoop eX- teriorly surrounding said shell and bearing upon said flesh ring and having anI annular 'flange substantially parallel with the flange on the shell, tension means comprising an 1nternallyv threaded socket member extending through the shell flange and a rotatable threaded rod extending through the hoop flange and threading into the socket member, and means by which the rod may be rot-ated from above the flange.

2. A musical instrument of the banjo type comprising a shell having an annular flange near its bottom, a head, a flesh ring surrounding said shell and to which the head is attached, a tension hoop surrounding the shell and bearing upon said head and having an annular flange, said flange at the point Where the neel: of the instrument joins the shellbeing bent up to lie parallel With the hoop, and adjustable tension rods passingthrough said flanges.

3. A musical instrument of the banjo type comprising a metal shell, the metal of which is doubled upon itself to form near the bottom of the shell an annular flange, a head, a flesh ring to which said head is attached surrounding said shell, a tension hoop surrounding said shell and bearing on said flesh ring and having an annular flange, adjust able tension rods connecting said flanges and adjusted from above the flange on the tension hoop and a resonator comprising a Wooden convex bottom of greater diameter than the shell and a cylindrical portion of smaller diameter and telescoping the shell, said cylindrieal portion having a flaring skirt embracing at its lower edge the Wooden bottom.

In Witness whereof, I, CECIL H. STRUrE,

have hereunto set my hand at Indianapolis,

Indiana.

CECIL H. STRUPE. 

